[ This program contains material (topic, language, violence) unsuitable for children under the age of 15 ]
[ Episode 9 ] That's impossible.
There must be something wrong.
It's not mine!
The King ordered to arrest the culprit swiftly.
Take Lady Hong away!
Yes!
What are you doing? Let go of me!
Let go of me!
Even so...
you can't just take away a candidate during the selection!
Could she at least explain...
How dare you step in?
I'm carrying out the king's order.
Step aside.
Step aside!
- Take her away! - Yes.
I said it's not mine!
Let go of me!
I said let go of me!
It's not mine!
Please check one more time!
Officers, lock Lady Hong in a cell first.
I'll join you after I report to His Majesty.
This is completely nuts...
King.
What is going on anyway?
How could my dear palace lady get killed?
Lady Hong was just arrested as the culprit of the murder.
What? Did you just say "Lady Hong?"
King, did you hear that?
- Lady Hong committed the murder... - Again?
What have you done this time?
King.
I'm the Royal Investigations Bureau captain Sung Gi Chil.
Thankfully, we were able to capture the culprit quickly...
You were wrong.
- Pardon? - Lady Hong is not the culprit.
Take away the charges immediately and restart the investigation.
But we found poison in Lady Hong's belongings.
Did you just say poison?
Yes, it was a poisonous grass.
The palace lady was killed by a poisonous grass as well.
And I am not sure what happened,
but we found the letter she received from the Queen Mother as well.
Also...
there is an eyewitness who saw her meeting with the victim privately.
This is slander.
This is all a conspiracy!
Where is Lady Hong right now?
She was taken to the Royal Investigation Bureau.
Your Majesty!
I'll come by later.
What are you talking about?
She committed murder?
It seems she was poisoned.
She was arrested immediately since the evidence was clear.
Did you say the victim worked for the Queen?
She was also the one who reported His Excellency Kang Yi Soo.
As soon as there was a rumor about the dead queen's return,
the palace lady who reported Kang Yi Soo died.
Since they acted so hastily, they must be...
Delay the scheduled selection
and let the candidates wait in Yeonghwadang first.
Yes, Your Highness.
How is the King doing right now?
Your Majesty!
Get out of the way.
Please compose yourself.
Are you telling me to leave her in prison then?
If you go to the Royal Investigation Bureau and free her yourself,
you would be breaking the law as the king!
Exonerate her first, Your Majesty.
If you prove her innocence, she would be freed naturally.
They planned it and framed her!
There is clear evidence too!
Someone must have put the poison in advance...
Your Majesty.
In my dream last night,
a woman snuck into that room.
Was it really poison?
Did it really come from my belongings?
Yes, it was poison made of monkshood.
How could you get arrested for murder all of a sudden?
The evidence is clear too...
Hey, what if something bad really happens to you?
Monkshood poison?
Queen Mother told me to give this to you.
Did she send that letter to me to frame me?
Please go to Baek Ja Yong's residence immediately.
His Excellency Baek Ja Yong?
Go tell him that we need Queen Dowager's help.
Geez...
Everything is going according to the plan.
You remember how to explain that letter, right?
Yes.
I never wrote and sent such a letter.
- It's not even my handwriting. - Yes.
But would King really let this happen?
I even sacrificed my servant for this.
We cannot allow anything to go wrong.
Please do not worry.
Everything will go as we wish.
So...
what is waiting for us next?
We should start pressuring the King.
You happened to be in the palace.
Yes, I heard there was a terrible murder in the palace.
I was on my way to meet His Majesty regarding that.
Would you come with me?
Let's go.
From the way she was dressed,
she was definitely one of the candidates.
Which one of the candidates testified?
Was it Lady Kim?
It was Lady Jo, Your Majesty.
- His Excellency Jo Heung Gyeon's daughter? - Yes.
I knew it.
I never liked the way she looked at His Majesty.
Your Majesty, the ministers including the Chief State Minister
are requesting to meet with you.
Your Majesty.
How could a candidate for the selection commit murder in the palace?
This is the worst incident since the selection system was
first introduced under the King Taejong.
Please order an interrogation to
investigate Lady Hong's crimes
and settle this horrific incident.
I cannot do that.
Her charge has not been determined yet.
I will investigate more thoroughly.
The evidence has already been found.
What if the evidence involves a lie?
Who would take responsibility?
There is no way the evidence involves a lie.
Will you take responsibility then?
Pardon?
Even though the poison was found,
Lady Hong has no motive to kill the palace lady.
Lady Hong's father, Governor Hong Ki Ho, who is mentioned in this letter
is alive and well.
Forgive me for saying this,
but there is a rumor within the palace
that Lady Hong is the resurrected queen.
That should also be looked into as soon as possible.
Perhaps you should make her clarify herself.
Please schedule the interrogation.
Your Majesty, I agree with him.
You must investigate everything thoroughly
in order to uphold the royal family's honor.
Please listen to our plea, Your Majesty.
Why does an officer of the Bureau want to see me?
Well, you know Kang Eun Bo, don't you?
That woman is accused of killing someone.
- She's in prison now. - What?
Is that true?
Yes.
By the way, who are you and why are you telling me this?
Did Eun Bo ask you to do this?
Well, the thing is...
It's kind of a long story.
Anyway, I've known her for a long time.
But more importantly,
she's in a dire situation, sir.
I heard the Left State Minister always moves in the shadows.
Maybe he did that this time too.
How about the people in your family?
Everyone says they always behave recklessly.
Why did you testify that you saw Lady Hong with the palace lady?
I thought you two were friends.
You are the one who made her look suspicious.
That's because...
What did I expect to hear from you anyway?
Anyway, didn't things work out for both of us?
What would happen to Lady Hong?
I'm not sure either,
but she probably won't be able to come back here.
She won't die, will she?
Are you all right?
Lady Jo, please come outside for a moment.
Please go ahead.
- Your Majesty. - I wanted to ask you about something.
Pardon?
Where were you last night after the bell rang?
I was in my room thinking about the mission for the final round.
Were you in the room the entire time?
I went out to the Yeonghwadang's backyard to get some fresh air.
And you saw Lady Hong and the palace lady together then?
Yes.
Did you ever go inside Lady Hong's room?
What do you mean...
By chance...
are you suspicious of me?
Why...
Where is the skirt you wore during the first round?
I asked you why you are suspicious of me.
The truth...
starts with a suspicion.
I am suspicious of everyone, not just you.
If so...
you should be suspicious of Lady Hong first.
She is undoubtedly the one who was picked out as the culprit.
Not to me.
There was flower embroidery on the handkerchief
that was covering the poison bottle.
Did you say embroidery?
Is that why you met with Lady Jo, who embroidered
her skirt for the first round?
It did not seem like she was lying
when I asked her where she was last night.
Don't you think it was probably Lady Kim then?
If I hastily questioned Lady Kim,
she might hide her tail.
I need to be sure.
What are you talking about right now?
She's locked up at the Royal Investigation Bureau?
A man who's supposedly Eun Bo's partner came by.
It seems like she fell into a trap.
We must get her out.
Is there a way?
First, send the priestess to Queen Dowager and...
What's the King doing right now?
He said she's his woman. How could he let this happen?
He's probably figuring things out hurriedly.
Your Excellency.
We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
We might lose both her and the military rights...
We shouldn't be discussing that yet.
Please look into the situation thoroughly before doing anything.
I told Hong Ki Ho to meet with Eun Bo. Let's wait and see.
I will make sure to keep the promise I made with you
under the sun, moon, and stars right here.
Could you wait for a little bit longer until then?
I'm letting you in briefly while switching shifts.
You don't have a lot of time.
What brings you here?
Are you doing okay?
Yes, at least for now.
They will conduct an interrogation on you tomorrow at noon.
Queen Mother made someone put the poison in my belongings.
Probably a royal servant or a candidate who can enter Yeonghwadang.
We must find them.
Please ask Queen Dowager for help.
Not to King but to Queen Dowager?
Queen Mother is still King's mother.
Could he get his mother indicted so easily?
But would Queen Dowager help you?
I've told Queen Dowager that I'll catch the culprit of the assassination myself.
She saw that I made it to the final round.
She'd help me just to give me a chance.
I'm sorry.
Because of this incident,
you may end up getting hurt, sir.
You're the one locked in. Don't worry about me.
When I gave you my daughter's name,
I decided to accept anything that might happen.
Just worry about yourself.
They probably framed my father the same way too.
Thinking about him dying so wrongfully makes me so angry.
A letter from the governor of Gyeonggi?
What does it say?
He is asking for my help.
Your Highness.
Lady Hong might face something terrible
if you leave things alone.
Perhaps you should accept his request and step in.
But there is no clear solution...
His Majesty is here.
What brings you here at this hour?
Please make them inspect Yeonghwadang first thing in the morning.
What do you mean, "inspect?"
A candidate reportedly smuggled poison into the palace.
We should conduct surprise inspection on other candidates
for security measures.
Please order as the head of the inner court.
As you know,
we recently had a heinous incident.
Because of that, we'll have to inspect your belongings.
It's Queen Dowager's order. Please follow through.
Begin now.
Did you find it?
Is this what you saw in your dream?
Who is the owner of this handkerchief?
The interrogation will start soon.
Get ready quickly and bring the criminal out.
Yes, sir.
I'm going crazy here.
What are the King and the Queen Dowager doing?
Open the door.
Yes, sir.
I'm sorry. I think I forgot the key.
What?
You bastard!
Nothing you do is to my liking.
- Officer Kim. - Yes.
- Bring the key. - Yes, sir.
I'm so sorry.
Please come in.
Your Majesty?
Why did you put a bottle of poison in Lady Hong's belongings?
Pardon?
I'm not sure what you mean...
Why did you do such a thing?
It wasn't me. It wasn't me!
Who told you to do that?
Let go of me!
I'll go on my own.
Come out right now.
Come out.
I don't know anything!
I know nothing!
That night...
You went into Lady Hong's room while she was asleep.
You took out the poison wrapped with the handkerchief with violets embroidered.
And with those shaky hands,
you planted the poison among Lady Hong's belongings.
Do you still know nothing about it?
If you confess now,
I will not make you responsible for everything.
Who was it?
Who made you do such a thing?
Who was it?
It was the minister of justice!
He summoned me the night before I entered the palace.
Sir.
Good work.
Who are you and why did you summon me?
I'm Kwon Ik Soo, the minister of justice.
I've met your father a long time ago too.
I see.
I heard that your family isn't doing well
and the entire family is struggling financially.
By chance...
wouldn't you like to help your parents and siblings?
I'm not sure what you mean...
I'd like you to run an errand for me.
If so, your family will be rewarded.
If you refuse,
your family will also pay for it as well.
I deserve to die.
He threatened to harm my family.
I didn't know it was a bottle of poison.
I didn't know a palace lady would get killed.
I really had no idea!
Is everything you said true?
Yes, it is.
Arrest Kwon Ik Soo, the minister of justice.
Yes, Your Majesty.
We already have clear evidence.
Confess your crime now.
Why did you kill the palace lady?
This is a conspiracy.
I didn't kill that palace lady!
Everyone!
Go ahead and start the torture until
she confesses her crime!
Yes, sir!
Stop!
It is the King's order to arrest Kwon Ik Soo, the minister of justice.
Capture him right now.
Yes, sir!
What are you doing right now?
What was the King's order?
I was told to imprison
the criminal immediately for framing an innocent person
by fabricating evidence.
Take him away!
Yes, sir!
Let go.
Let go of me!
Let go, you bastards!
The King found the person who planted poison in your room.
His Majesty did?
So who was it?
Well, it was...
Lady Ha confessed everything.
Since we found the real culprit,
I am thinking of conducting an interrogation as you recommended.
I will investigate Kwon Ik Soo's crime
and settle this horrific incident.
Your Majesty, the allegation has not been proven yet.
Yes, and what if Lady Ha was testified untruthfully...
Why could you not be that careful
when Lady Hong got arrested?
I will investigate the incident comprehensively
and arrest everyone who was involved.
For the interrogation,
I want Han Ui Geum, the minister of the court to be in charge.
Pardon?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Oh, my...
His Excellency.
Lady Hong is about to return to the selection again.
Do your best to fulfill your duty.
Are you suggesting to uphold His Majesty's wishes?
His Majesty already won this round regarding this incident.
Although I carried out that plan,
I never expected to get much out of it.
If so, why did you tell the Chief State Minister
that Lady Hong is the dead queen?
I just wanted to start a rumor.
It was the Chief State Minister
who undermined himself by planning the murder.
What will we do now, Father?
With the Minister of Justice's arrest,
our involvement in the murder will get revealed.
- Hyungnim! - Father!
Stop fussing.
We just need to cut the tail off.
Will you abandon His Excellency Kwon Ik Soo?
We can easily find another dog
who would be loyal to our family.
What is the worry?
Look at you now...
Please help me, Your Excellency.
Don't worry about your family.
I'll look after them for the sake of our friendship.
What do you mean...
Say that the palace lady
spoke badly of you to Queen Mother
and things got out of hand.
Leave it at that.
Are you telling me to...
take the blame for everything right now?
What nonsense are you spewing?
You planned everything from the beginning.
That makes you responsible for everything.
I was being loyal to the Kim family.
I'm aware, however...
you shouldn't have gotten the wrong idea.
Did you think that your surname became Kim
just because we hung out together?
My goodness...
I believe you understood what I said.
Don't just think about yourself.
You need to think about your family.
Got it?
His Excellency!
Did you really do this on your own?
That's correct.
I did everything on my own.
I murdered the palace lady
and framed Lady Hong for the crime.
Come out. You've been acquitted.
What are you doing? Come out.
The royal servants are here to greet you.
Hurry up!
I heard Kwon Ik Soo confessed to all of his crimes.
I had no idea he was doing that behind our backs.
As you promised me last time,
please confess your crime.
What crime?
That you ordered the dead palace lady to make a false confession.
Order a false confession?
Who did?
I think you misunderstood what I said last time.
I did not mean that when I said I would reveal the truth.
I wanted to use her as a messenger
to prove to you that I am innocent.
But what should I do now?
The dead palace lady cannot talk anymore.
The truth has been buried.
Are you there, Chief Eunuch Hwang?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Investigate the servants who worked for the queen right now.
I must find someone to prove that Kang Yi Soo never tried
to indoctrinate his daughter.
Let's go now.
I think she knows that you helped her.
That is a relief.
You must have been through a lot.
The final round will commence at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
Queen Dowager relays the message
that you take a rest today.
Thank you.
I didn't think you'd make it back this time.
I didn't think Lady Ha would do such a thing.
If so...
- why did you do that? - What do you mean?
That testimony...
It's true that you met with the palace lady.
Couldn't you at least let me explain myself?
Why do I have to do that?
We're competitors after all.
Did you look into it?
Well, the thing is...
What is it?
Everyone must be scared because of the palace lady's death.
They're all saying they don't know anything.
So no one would say anything?
Not even one person would speak?
- I apologize. - Your Majesty.
Perhaps you should end this now.
The longer you drag this out,
the worse the rumors would become in the palace.
Although she committed a serious crime of slander,
considering she confessed on her own,
Ha Dan Young will be removed from the selection and
the Ha family will never participate in the selection
nor work for the government.
For committing a heinous murder in the palace
and framing an innocent person, Kwon Ik Soo will be
removed from his position and sent away to Hongdo.
I think the reinvestigation for the Kang Yi Soo's case
will not take place for the time being.
Queen Mother must feel relieved too.
So...
I heard the minister of justice was exiled.
He must be grinding his teeth against us.
So what if he grinds his teeth?
Everyone in the court knows that he worked for us.
Be careful what you do for a while.
- You must take caution. - Yes.
You heard that, right?
- He said, "take caution." - What?
Mind your own business. You punk...
Don't worry.
I'm good at pretending to remorse in front of others.
Nothing to brag about.
By the way, Hyungnim...
What should we do with the selection now?
If our family does something in this situation,
it might backfire.
We already bribed the royal family.
Things are beyond our control now.
We just need to let Song Yi take care of the rest.
Please bring the thing
you are willing to sacrifice in that box.
Do you know how precious these shoes are?
Who made them dirty?
We didn't do anything.
- That stain was already... - Be quiet and clean them.
May I send someone to my house briefly?
I need something for the mission.
I heard you found the real culprit.
I'd like to thank you one more time.
I had no doubt about it.
There is no need to.
Did you get hurt at all?
I am okay.
Please do not worry.
Your Majesty.
There is something I would like to tell you.
Tell me.
Last time, you told me
that you would turn everything back to normal.
To be honest, I was concerned about what you said.
I wondered if it would be okay
to depend on you and not catch the culprit myself.
I was afraid while being locked up.
I was afraid I would end up like my father.
I felt victimized and enraged.
I was angry toward the people who framed me.
I want to have power.
Not the kind of power you use to destroy other people,
but the kind of power that seeks justice.
They took the palace lady's life away as if it's nothing
and they framed a powerless young lady.
I want to be more powerful than them.
And...
I want to get there even more
if that means
I would be by your side.
The angrier and more upset I got in prison,
I wanted to see you more.
I was afraid that I might
never see you again.
Please let me participate in the selection as Hong Yeon.
I want to be by your side
even if I have to use someone else's name.
That is how I feel now.
I also want to have you by my side.
Promise me instead.
Do not put yourself into danger no matter what.
Do not be afraid no matter what happens.
Because you have me.
Are you done preparing for the evaluation?
Yes.
I have notified the female royal family members to enter the palace.
I'm glad Lady Hong made it back safely, Your Highness.
We can count on Queen Dowager's choice, correct?
Yes.
Due to the priestess' message and the recent incident,
the mighty Kim family is stymied.
I'm sure she will choose Eun Bo.
After we send in Eun Bo as the queen
and if she falls in danger like this time,
do you have a plan?
Don't worry.
The palace will be turned upside down before that.
We need to turn
one of the King's inner-circle into our ally.
We should start...
figuring out the King's movement.
Who do you mean by his inner-circle?
You wanted to make a report?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Is the palace in peace now?
In peace?
What does that have to do with you?
Geez, seriously.
What does it have to do...
Even so, am I not allowed to ask?
What?
You bastard!
Come on. "Bastard," you say?
I work for the Royal Investigation Bureau now.
Calling me names is a bit...
Your Majesty.
How could you offer him a position to someone like that?
That's enough. You might grow to like each other.
"Like each other," you said?
- How could you... - Say something so horrific?
My goodness...
Are you worried about the queen?
That's not exactly it...
About this man I had mentioned.
The man who approached a courtesan named Cho Hyang.
I heard there is a burnt mark
on the back of his neck.
But I'm still not sure if he's Gae Pyeong or not.
On the back of his neck?
Do you remember seeing the name "Gae Pyeong" in the address book for hunters?
I have not seen that name.
Look into it further.
Find out if all hunters have tattoos on the back of their necks
and if any of them got them removed.
Perhaps your report might be an important clue.
Yes, Your Majesty!
I need Hong Yeon now.
Bring her here.
There will be about three or four days of hiatus
until they announce the result of the selection.
Hurry up and bring Hong Yeon to Hanyang
and find out about Kang Yi Soo's wife too.
Yes, sir.
What's the matter?
She was with Hong Yeon at the temple.
The two of them were together?
I never thought of that.
Bring both of them here.
Yes, sir.
Your Majesty.
The final round finally started.
I'm not even a candidate,
but I'm so nervous.
Everything...
Everything will go well.
Lady Hong will...
It will go well.
We will be hearing your answers to the question we asked last time.
Lady Kim, would you like to start?
What could you give up to become the queen?
This is my answer.
They are too nice of shoes to get rid of.
What does it mean?
My uncle got these shoes made for me.
From what I learned,
the ladies in the palace should not be so politically outspoken.
Although my uncle is in the highest position,
I do not wish to be partial toward him.
So I want to give up this gift.
What?
Are you saying you can give up your family right now?
Please do not get me wrong.
What I meant is that
I will be more aware and try not to become
a queen who is blinded by power.
She's not entirely wrong.
The royal family can abandon our own child, morality, and humanity.
You must not be partial to anything.
I appreciate your answer.
It is an honor.
I've been absent for too long because of the selection.
I'm thinking of going back to Gyeonggi today.
Do you feel uncomfortable to see Eun Bo?
How much longer will you leave her in the dark?
We need to let her know what our intention is.
I will tell her everything when the selection ends.
Everything she's been curious about.
Including changing the owner of the throne and
starting a new world is our final goal.
That is the skirt you wore during the first round, is it not?
I remember praising you for fixing ruined clothes.
Yes, I was happy.
But why do you want to abandon it?
When I found out that the skirt was ruined,
I was angry,
and I was afraid and sad that I might get disqualified.
But then I had a joyful time with the young ladies
who worked on the embroidery with me.
If it reminds you of such a nice memory.
I do not understand at all.
Whether it was a happy or sad memory,
it is the queen's duty to move on from the past
and start anew.
Abandoning your happy, angry, and sad moments?
It sounds like you are willing to give up on your entire past.
That is correct.
I understand your determination,
but giving up on your past is not always the best.
What is your answer, Lady Hong?
It is a silver spoon.
Silver spoons are used to detect poison.
So they are used for dining.
What do you mean by that?
In households without enough utensils,
they use wooden spoons to eat kimchi or vegetables.
But if have to make rice cakes by steaming pine needles
or dirt because you're poor,
your hand becomes a spoon.
You steam dirt and eat it with your hands?
I cannot believe it.
You sound like you have experienced it.
Is it really true?
Yes.
I have witnessed and heard about it myself.
It is a clear picture of people's lives
that none of us know about.
Continue.
I do not own anything special
compared to these two young ladies here.
So I thought about the things
I could give up on if I became the queen.
I wish to give up on this silver spoon
and become a citizen closest to His Majesty.
As the mother of the nation,
one should be willing to use a wooden spoon
or hands or sometimes starve
with the people and share their pain.
Give up on your silver spoon and
use a wooden spoon along with the people?
It is not very realistic since it goes against the royal etiquette.
But I am impressed with your heart.
Ma'am!
What are you doing?
The two of you...
will have to come with me.
Who are you anyway?
Priest!
This way.
My lady.
My lady, my lady!
My lady...
I appreciate all of your answers.
Since this is the final round that selects the queen,
instead of making the decision now,
we will take a break.
Queen Mother, royal family members,
and I will carefully make the decision.
You may leave the palace now.
Court Lady Jung.
Please follow me.
My lady!
Yeo Wool.
Are you okay?
You were in the palace one day
and you were in prison the next day.
Do you know how shocked I was?
Did you get hurt by chance?
I'm okay now. Don't worry.
How was it? Did you do well?
Did you make any mistakes?
- I need to stop by somewhere. - Yes.
Unni.
I'm sorry.
I started this to find the person who did this to you.
But I...
fell for...
I fell for His Majesty.
I feel like...
I'm stealing your spot and your name.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I will get punished, right?
By both you...
and the one who thinks I'm you.
Will I ever be forgiven?
Song Yi.
Song Yi, how did the selection go?
What have you been doing?
You told me to start a rumor.
But you couldn't even kick her out.
Seriously...
Huh?
Hey, Song Yi!
What happened?
- Song Yi! - That little...
If you get disqualified from the selection,
I won't just sit and watch.
Have some.
Why are you doing this to a crook?
Are you really the one who accused me of being a crook
in front of His Majesty?
If I told him that we know each other,
I thought Lady Hong Yeon might be in a bind.
How about me? Is it okay if I'm in a bind?
I should be born as a woman in my next life.
Anyway, forget that.
You still can't do that when we used to live under the same roof.
That's why I'm apologizing right now.
Whether it's alcohol or food,
- it's all on me. - What's this?
Please stop being upset.
Geez.
What was this thing called?
I heard it's the most expensive ginseng drink at this watering hole.
Aigoo.
Aigoo, yes.
It smells amazing.
Ah, yes...
Aigoo...
Aigoo, that's excellent.
By the way, what are you wearing?
Well, have you noticed?
I was trying to cover it.
His Majesty sent me to the Royal Investigation Bureau.
His Majesty did?
Wow, do you see him often then?
Well, yes...
What do you do at the Royal Investigation Bureau?
Well, what I do is...
this and that sort of things.
I actually take orders directly from His Majesty.
- You made it! - I didn't make it...
But still, be careful.
Never mind.
It's probably a false rumor.
A rumor? What rumor?
Haven't you heard the rumor from the market?
No, I haven't.
Come closer.
Well, the King apparently abandons people
when he doesn't need them anymore.
Even his own father-in-law.
I don't think so.
It's time for you to tell me what your plan is.
Your eyes have changed, Sweetheart.
I will change.
I'll act like your daughter.
I'll reveal that the woman from the Hong family
is the resurrected queen in front of everyone.
A traitor's daughter lied about her identity
and fooled the royal family.
She deserves to die.
I finished preparing as you told me to do, sir.
I want to hear it too.
Go ahead then.
I brought Hong Yeon and Kang Yi Soo's wife
to a warehouse in Baeksagol.
Well done.
My apologies for causing a disturbance.
But I hope you forgive me since it's an important matter.
That woman over there is
not a young lady from the Hong family.
She's the daughter of Kang Yi Soo, who committed high treason!
I heard Kang Yi Soo's wife was sent to a government office as a slave.
Hurry up and find out where she is.
Yes, Your Majesty.
- What's this about? - I'm from the royal palace.
I'm looking for a slave here.
Today is finally the day they announce the result.
I really hope it's you.
I was told she ran away from the office.
And it was before the first round of selection started.
How about Jo Heung Gyeon's people?
I didn't detect anything suspicious.
By the way, Your Majesty...
I heard someone recently visited the office and drew a picture of her face.
I wonder if they work for the Left State Minister.
Lady Kim made an unexpected decision and proved her cleverness,
but cleverness itself could not move this old woman's heart.
On the contrary, Lady Jo's determination was memorable.
But it did not quite fit the quality that's required from the queen.
The leader of the inner court must
know how to care for the livelihood of the people.
Even though her promise might be a bit unrealistic,
but since she understood the people's lives well,
I'm thinking of selecting Lady Hong as the queen.
What are your opinions, ladies?
We have...
chosen Lady Kim.
I probably do not need to hear Queen Mother's answer.
We must not choose Lady Hong, Your Highness.
How so?
Her face brings bad luck.
She got the highest score for the face reading during the first round.
It is because she was the queen before...
Let's be honest.
Is there anyone who doesn’t question that Lady Hong is the dead queen?
She's a shrewd woman mocking the royals by faking her identity.
Is there evidence that she faked her identity?
It cannot be more obvious.
Bring the evidence.
Enter the palace before me.
I will join you right away.
Yes, Father. I'll be waiting.
His Excellency.
Someone came from the palace.
Father.
It's probably nothing serious. Don't worry.
Tell Gae Pyeong to be prepared. I'll contact him.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Why did you summon me?
Your Majesty.
Bring me Kang Yi Soo's wife.
What do you mean by that?
I know that you want to reveal Kang Yi Soo's wife in front of everyone.
I know what your intention is as well.
Forgive me, but
I cannot do that.
You cannot?
Lady Hong is...
I mean, Kang Yi Soo's daughter committed high treason.
Proving her crime for fooling the royal court
is my duty as your servant.
Are you truly my servant?
You dare ignore the king's order.
How does that make you my servant?
Your Majesty.
Please consider my patriotism.
I'm saying this out of
my loyalty to the royal court and Your Majesty.
That is not loyalty, but greed!
I...
am no longer a young prince who was afraid of your threats.
Is that so?
May I dare to make a deal with you then?
Please accept my daugther
as the queen, Your Majesty!
What?
If you do that,
I will give you Kang Yi Soo's wife.
The woman who pretended to be Hong Yeon will save her life too.
What if I won't accept it?
It will go as you expected.
The mother and daughter will face each other
and both of them will follow the path of
Kang Yi Soo, who committed high treason.
Everything has already been prepared.
Go ahead.
I will pay back what I received no matter what!
Your Majesty.
When making deals,
you must hide what is the most precious to you.
The moment you reveal it,
your opponent will take advantage of that.
But...
you already showed me
what your weakness is.
I will take you to the announcement room.
Follow me.
Here comes His Majesty!
King.
This is where the ladies of the royal family choose the queen.
You should not be here.
Is the result of the selection written there?
Yes, Your Majesty.
- Bring it to me. - King!
What are you doing?
[ Announcement: Governor Hong Ki Ho's daughter has been selected as the queen ]
What are you doing right now?
Lady Hong cannot become the queen.
She is already selected as the queen.
That cannot be.
Lady Hong cannot become the queen.
She is already selected as the queen.
That cannot be.
[ Queen: Love and War ]
I need to bring back Kang Yi Soo's wife safely.
Your dream won't turn out to be true this time.
I think I changed the dream.
Please stop caring for me.
I'm the king's woman now.
I will only bring trouble to you and His Majesty.
He will slowly run out of breath and die being paralyzed.
Are you saying you'll order Eun Bo to assassinate him?
I thought you wanted to take revenge for His Excellency Kang Yi Soo.
How did you know that?
I'm the one your father wanted to put as the new king.